Method for opening a movable panel of the motor vehicle and corresponding opening control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for opening a movable panel of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps of: detecting the approach of a person (U) in the vicinity of the vehicle (V) by a detection device ( 3 ), identifying if the detected person (U) is authorized to unlock the vehicle (V) through authentication means, determining if there is an intention to open the movable panel ( 7 ), and—authorizing the opening of the movable panel ( 7 ) when an authorized person (U) with an intention to open the movable panel is detected. According to the invention, the step of determining if there is an intention to open the movable panel ( 7 ), comprises the sub-steps of: projecting at least a first light spot ( 12 a ) on the ground on which the motor vehicle (V) stands, —projecting at least a second light spot ( 12 b ) on the ground on which the motor vehicle (V) stands with a predefined distance from the first light spot ( 12 a ), identifying if the identified authorized person (U) performs a predefined triggering sequence: by stopping in a pre-determined order on the first light spot ( 12 a ) and then on the second light spot ( 12 b ) and with a predefined time interval between the step of stopping on the first light spot ( 12 a ) and the step of stopping on the second light spot ( 12 b ). The invention also relates to an associated opening control device ( 1 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for opening a movable panel of a motor vehicle, comprising:
 detecting an approach of a person in a vicinity of the motor vehicle by a detection device; 
 identifying if the detected person is authorized to unlock the motor vehicle through authentication means; 
 determining if there is an intention to open the movable panel; and 
 authorizing the opening of the movable panel when an authorized person with the intention to open the movable panel is detected, 
 wherein determining if there is an intention to open the movable panel, comprises:
 projecting at least a first light spot on ground on which the motor vehicle stands, 
 projecting at least a second light spot on the ground on which the motor vehicle stands with a predefined distance from the first light spot, 
 identifying that the identified authorized person performs a predefined triggering sequence by stopping in a predetermined order on the first light spot and then on the second light spot and with a predefined time interval between stopping on the first light spot and stopping on the second light spot, 
 wherein the first light spot and the second light spot are projected on the ground together simultaneously when the authorized person is identified. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising measuring a time elapsed between the step of stopping on the first light spot and the step of stopping on the second light spot, and comparing the measured elapsed time to the predefined time interval. 
     
     
       3. A method for opening a movable panel of a motor vehicle, comprising:
 detecting an approach of a person in a vicinity of the motor vehicle by a detection device; 
 identifying if the detected person is authorized to unlock the motor vehicle through authentication means; 
 determining if there is an intention to open the movable panel; and 
 authorizing the opening of the movable panel when an authorized person with the intention to open the movable panel is detected, 
 wherein determining if there is an intention to open the movable panel comprises:
 projecting at least a first light spot on ground on which the motor vehicle stands, 
 projecting at least a second light spot on the ground on which the motor vehicle stands with a predefined distance from the first light spot, 
 identifying that the identified authorized person performs a predefined triggering sequence by stopping in a predetermined order on the first light spot and then on the second light spot and with a predefined time interval between stopping on the first light spot and stopping on the second light spot, 
 
 wherein the first light spot is projected on the ground when the authorized person is identified, and 
 wherein the second light spot is projected on the ground when the authorized person has stopped on the first light spot and for the predefined time interval. 
 
     
     
       4. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the second light spot is projected closer to the motor vehicle than the first light spot. 
     
     
       5. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two light spots are aligned with regard to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. 
     
     
       6. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two light spots are aligned relative to each other and form an angle with regard to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. 
     
     
       7. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising sending a warning signal to indicate to perform again the triggering sequence, when the predefined triggering sequence is incorrect. 
     
     
       8. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein detecting the approach of a person in the vicinity of the motor vehicle is performed by one or more infrared detectors. 
     
     
       9. An opening control device comprising a processor for:
 detecting an approach of a person in the vicinity of a motor vehicle, 
 identifying if the detected person is authorized to unlock the motor vehicle through authentication means, 
 determining when there is an intention to open a movable panel, and 
 authorizing the opening of the movable panel when an authorized person with an intention to open the movable panel is detected, 
 wherein determining when there is an intention to open the movable panel, comprises:
 projecting on ground on which the motor vehicle stands at least a first light spot and at least a second light spot, 
 identifying if the identified authorized person performs a predefined triggering sequence by stopping in a predetermined order on the first light spot and then on the second light spot with a predefined time interval between a moment of stopping on the first light spot and a moment of stopping on the second light spot, 
 
 wherein the first light spot and the second light spot are projected on the ground together simultaneously when the authorized person is identified, and 
 wherein the device further comprises a sensor capable of detecting, sensing, or determining a gesture, or a gesture command by placement or movement of a human body part. 
 
     
     
       10. The opening control device as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising a detection device for detecting the approach of a person in the vicinity of the motor vehicle, the detection device comprising one or more infrared detectors. 
     
     
       11. The opening control device as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured for adapting an orientation of the projection means depending on where an approaching person is detected. 
     
     
       12. The opening control device as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of projection means arranged on the motor vehicle with different orientations relative to each other, and processing means for selecting at least one projection means to be activated depending on where an approaching person is detected.